Carly Pearce Was Crushing on Michael Ray for a Long Time

Talking to Taste of Country at WE Fest earlier this month, the "Hide the Wine" singer recalls commenting on all of Ray's Instagram story posts to get his attention. "And he'll tell you it took him a second to get it," she says.

"I've had a crush on him for a really long time and just always thought there was more to that pretty face, and there totally is," she says. "I did what every girl does in 2018, slid into the DMs."

Pearce and Ray confirmed they were dating in July, and it's not really clear how long they kept it a secret to that point, although she did talk about a different boyfriend in speaking with Taste of Country about her Every Little Thing album last December. Both travel, a lot. Ray has tour dates across the country through December, while Pearce is on the Rascal Flatts tour. They have great communication, she says, and when they're home they're inseparable.

"When the other person does what you do it's a lot easier. You don't have to explain it," Pearce says.

The obvious question is if they'll work together. Pearce says they've yet to write together — in fact, she rarely writes with her friends, so that doesn't sound promising. They have performed together, however. On Aug. 7 the two performed "Jackson" at the Grand Ole Opry together.

Ray had previously talked about being a little thick-headed in not recognizing Pearce's romantic interest, adding that he didn't want to make an assumption because he knew he'd have to see her again someday.